D'oh! I am so embarrassed with my mistake in Chapter 23, and I have now rectified those errors. Dang…I have completely messed up a very important chapter…and I really have been a moron. *sighs unhappily* Never mind, no point crying over a molehill…or something like that…
We have gone over the 200 review mark!!!!! YAY! YAY! YAY! Thank you to LegendaryHero for the review…but I don't have much of a glamorous prize for you (I could sign the gold Big Ben statue I have on my desk and send you that…). Anyway, thank you!
LittleSpark: Yes…I know….
Lolcatsrule: Firestar will still have a bit of a role in StarClan, I promise.
Rubyblaze: Maths…or RS…both…I only said voting because the country is voting tomorrow (I wrote this A/N on Wednesday)…America isn't voting anytime soon, is it?
Laughing Rain: I happen to like Bramble-strange…and I have a big part for him in Part 2! And the last chapter was awful! Not how I wanted to be at all!
Hawkfire: School doesn't end here in the UK until July 16th…but there is a break in June in between…
LegendaryHero: Come on, Hollyleaf became pretty mental in her last days in the books…and I don't think Breezepelt has the balls to fight Hollyleaf simply because he is a little bit of a mother's boy (until The Fourth Apprentice….poor Jayfeather!).
And I know that that chapter was possibly the worst chapter I have ever written… D: Truly terrible. And I am not a jerk. Just an evil writer.
Wildheart: What about Nightcloud? And RS stands for Religious Studies…wish me luck on the 18th May…
Darkness of the Eclipse: I'm not going to tell you who the Grand Master is until a few chapters time…and yes…I know!
Well…this chapter is from both Crow and Bramble's PoV. Enjoy (and hopefully this chapter will be much better this time!).
Keep reading and reviewing!
Leopardstorm
Chapter 24 – The Race to London
-CROWFEATHER PoV-
Everyone was in utter shock. I had just escaped from my own assassination, but we had lost the legendary ThunderClan leader in the process. I had told Brambleclaw to catch the first plane back to London, and that I would take control here, but I honestly thought I couldn't take anymore. I just wanted to curl up in a small room and die. But I couldn't, for Firestar's sake.
I looked back up to the rest of my friends; Leafpool, Squirrelflight and Sandstorm were huddled together by one of the wedding cars, while Jayfeather was watching the spot where his grandfather fell, mouth agape. Lionblaze was helping Littlecloud up, who had collapsed in exhaustion after running from the church to the cliff top.
I sat down on the grassy land, taking in the previous few minute's events. Five minutes ago, I was about to get married. Then, in those five minutes, Firestar was killed and I had found my fourth son, the one I completely regretted having. He was right. He knew, from his apprenticeship onwards, that he was just a tool, a way to get back in Onestar's good books, and he had no place in my life.
Suddenly, there was movement as Squirrelflight got up and walked over to me, her once beautiful dress matted with mud, dirt and grass stains.
"Where's Brambleclaw?" she croaked. I saw her face, gaunt with horror, streaks of tears down the side of her face. I never thought of her as a crier, but tears could quench even the fiery Squirrelflight. That wasn't a bad thing.
"He's caught the first plane back to London," I replied, no expression on my face. "We don't know what's happening back home. For all we know, the BPD could be knocking down the Clock Tower as we speak…"
She nodded bleakly and walked back. Then she turned back and said, "Leafpool doesn't blame you, you know. You need to talk to her, because she loves you, and you love her."
I smiled weakly. "Okay." I followed back to the rest of her family. Leafpool and her mother looked up at me, both with the same distraught face. For a few moments, I thought Leafpool was going to have a massive shouting match with me, but instead she grabbed my legs and pulled me tightly into her.
"Why couldn't everything go to plan for just fifteen minutes?" she wailed.
"We'll do the ceremony again when we get back to London, if that's what you want," I added, sincerely hoping that it was what she wanted. Leafpool nodded and then went back to embracing her now widowed mother.
Jayfeather, although himself shocked to the core, was managing to treat some of the other people, whilst Lionblaze was mumbling addresses and injuries on a mobile phone, most likely to 999 (A/N – Britain's emergency service number, like 911 is America's).
Loud noises sounded from the rainy horizon behind us as sirens blared through the large sheet of falling water. Ambulances filled the setting, the whirring blue and red lights flashing, the only lights in a gloomy horizon. Paramedics stormed out of the ambulances, one leading Ashfoot to her feet with a tumble, another putting an arm around a thrashing Sandstorm.
"Are you with these people?" A man in a HV Paramedic jacket approached me.
"Yes," I answered bleakly.
"Do you know what happened here?" the paramedic enquired.
I choked up, not knowing how to put the horrible events that occurred into words.
"…Firestar…is dead," I looked to the floor.
"The ThunderClan leader?" he looked back at me with unbelieving eyes. I was
surprised that people so far west from Westminster knew who he was, but I guessed that that was the power of modern day media.
"Indeed," I replied.
"What exactly happened to him?"
"He's been shot," this replayed the scene in my head, which made my head hurt. "He fell over the cliff edge." For the first time, I looked over the edge where the leader fell. There was no trace of any tragedy there at all except for a rag of fabric that was caught on a jutting rock, a poignant reminder that Firestar's spirit and legacy will always be there.
"We'll try and locate his body as soon as we know everyone here is okay," the paramedic assured and turned to Leafpool and Squirrelflight. Jayfeather appeared behind a sheet and walked towards me.
"I've just received a call from Brambleclaw," he told me quickly. "I need to accompany him to Westminster Abbey for his nine lives and acceptance ceremony."
"He still gets nine lives?" I asked incredulously. I thought it was only cats who were fabled to have nine lives…
"Of course, it's a StarClan ceremony," he replied with an edge of impatience. "I need to meet him at Truro Airport, when will you come home?"
"I think I've got quite a few news reports to do, so probably not for a while…" I dreaded being in front of the camera when I should've been at the reception giving wedding speeches. "Probably not until late tonight. I'll drive back to London as soon as I can get away from here. There's nowhere I'd rather not be right now…"
"Good luck," my son nodded and rushed off into another wedding car. I watched the car speed away as plumes of dust kicked up into the air.
Suddenly, my phone bleeped, from none other than the Chief News Manager at the BBC, my boss.
I didn't even get a chance to greet him as he burst into conversation, "I've heard that you are at the scene of the accident."
"I was at my own wedding," I answered bleakly.
"Never mind that, son, BBC One and BBC Two have gone to a breaking news TV card, and they are waiting for you to be ready to give an eye-witness report!"
"Well, I'll try, how far away is the camera crew?" I asked.
"They are about five minutes away from Land's End. Just make sure you are preventable! You're representing the BBC!" My boss was very strict on nearly everything. But it was a good challenge, because when something was done well, he would be a very happy person. But I wasn't in the mood for any news stories, I had just witnessed my own assassination attempt.
"Okay…" I succumbed to his wishes. He quickly hung up the phone, leaving a constant tone on the other side of my mobile. I sighed again. This was going to be a long and arduous day.
-BRAMBLECLAW PoV-
My car was acting as though it didn't want me to come back to London at all, like it was acting twitchy on purpose. It felt like it wanted to make a second fatality on this most blackest of days.
Eventually, I managed to tame the car enough for me to drive to the airport. I had managed to secure a private flight on my way to the airport, but I was still nervous about how far Breezepelt and Hollyleaf had gotten in the meleé that ensued at the murder scene. I went to open my door, but it seemed to open by itself. I looked in surprise to see a man in a very lavish black suit. He had small moustache, but looked in his early thirties. He had a very short and well-cut haircut, and he looked like he would fit in better at Buckingham Palace than as someone who just opened my car door.
"Good afternoon, sir," the man greeted, a posh and very smart voice came from his mouth. "Allow me to introduce myself, sir. I am Farthing, Firestar's Aide and personal assistant."
"You seem to be very professional for someone who just lost their client," I remarked.
"I grieve for him inside, sir, but I must put you before my feelings," he told me.
"Okay…can I just get to my plane?" I asked nervously. "I need to get there before they do."
"Ah yes, I saw those two try to catch a plane when I arrived here," Farthing said. "The police are currently holding them, but they could get out at any moment."
"Then time is of the essence," I grunted. I got out of the car, not knowing what was going to happen. But I was the ThunderClan leader now, I didn't have time for things like that.
"Is there anything you need, sir?" Farthing walked at the same brisk pace as I was.
"An aspirin," I said. "My head is thumping."
"Right away, sir."
The check-in and security procedures were agonizingly slow, even though I knew I'd rather this than any old person come in and out so they can bomb all of us out of house and home.
Truro Airport was a small airport, not like Heathrow or Gatwick, it just had a small departures lounge and one runway. Even though it was small, I felt like I was cutting my through a jungle of chairs and people bustling around. Farthing was struggling to keep with me, but he wasn't essential. I just needed to get here and for Jayfeather to catch me up.
Suddenly, there was a huge shout from the other side of the departure's lounge; I turned my head to see an exhausted Jayfeather rush over chairs and people to reach me.
"There you are," Jayfeather choked. "I've been running around looking for you!"
"Well you're here, so we really need to board the flight now before it's too late!" I just about restrained from grabbing my foster son towards the exit gate, Farthing joining us.
"I have your Aspirin, sir," Farthing chucked a packet of Anadins towards me.
"Thanks," I replied.
"Who's that?" Jayfeather asked, eyebrows raised.
"That's Farthing, Firestar's Aide and PA. He has now been passed to me." Farthing shook Jayfeather's hand quickly as we entered the plane's door.
"Good afternoon, Minister," the cabin crew greeted as I shook their hands.
"Good afternoon, ladies," I replied, and a few of them giggled. "Where am I sat?"
"You are sat in the executive lounge with your friends," the head stewardess said pointing towards a door. I opened it, and my jaw dropped at the sight.
There were eight leather chairs put around the room, with marble tables and desks. There was a television mounted in a Royal Oak cabinet, and a snack and drinks bar down by the window.
"Well, I think I may be able to get used to this," I remarked.
"You need to get to London, first," Jayfeather said darkly.
"A drink, sir?" Farthing crossed over to the drinks bar.
"I'll have a Coke," I replied.
"Jayfeather?" Farthing asked my accomplice.
"A water, please Farthing," he told my new Aide.
"Can you turn the Television on?" I asked Farthing.
"But of course." He turned the television, but as soon as it turned on an image of the scene I had left filled the screen.
"…he was just shot in the chest, and that was enough to launch him over the edge," Crowfeather said solemnly.
"So what is happening now?" Seville asked my friend.
"Well, Brambleclaw is now heading back to London as we speak," Crowfeather looked as though he was looking towards me. "But it is rumoured that the people that shot Firestar were people from the BDP, working for their anonymous leader, but this is still yet to be confirmed. The worry is that the protests and riots that have taken place outside Downing Street over the last few days will escalate into anarchy, and Brambleclaw won't be able to take his nine lives this evening."
"What are the other leaders discussing?" Seville leant on his hand.
"Many are saying that they are going to call an election, where only one Clan or party will have a majority rule over the country. Any party can stand for this election, but it will be decided by the public across the country." Crowfeather looked strong, even though his emotions were probably pouring inside him, longing for a release.
"Okay, we'll come back to you soon," Seville moved the programme back to the studio.
"Do you know where we are?" I asked Farthing.
"Currently over Reading, sir," the man replied. We are nearly there!
"Where are we landing?" Jayfeather asked.
"London City Airport near the Docklands, young sir."
"We can do this," Jayfeather looked ahead in determined earnest.
-x-
We entered our escort car as we heard the chimes of Big Ben in the distance. It was seven o'clock, and it was nearly time for me to take my nine lives at Westminster Abbey.
"It will probably take an hour to get from here to Westminster, Brambleclaw. Just remember that we may see some riots…just look the other way," Farthing certainly knew a lot about this city.
I decided to change the subject to a slightly lighter topic, "So what is your history?"
"When I was a cat, I lived with my master in Kensington," Farthing looked back into his memories. "My master was an Aide himself, to a certain Prime Minister before the whole bomb thing. I was compelled to become an Aide, and here I am." He finished, as though there wasn't much more to talk about. "Look we're at the Canada Square Tower!"
I got the message. He didn't want to really talk about his past.
"What's your history?" Farthing asked, he looked as though his professional front was about to crumble.
"We were Warriors," I told him.
"Well, I was a medicine cat," Jayfeather cut in.
"…yes, you were. Firestar was the leader at the time, and we hunted, fought and looked after each other. Our neighbours were Blackstar, Onestar and Leopardstar, and that's why we formed the first government." Farthing nodded. "And that's how we got to this point."
"There might be a new party in the foray now the BDP is gaining popularity…not that I approve, of course," my Aide looked blankly into the side of the car door. I looked outside of the escort car, and I noticed the protestors had thickened as I headed down Tower Hill. There were picket signs, riot police everywhere, and some people were throwing cans, bottles, stones and litter at my car. There is something really wrong here…however, when I turned onto Victoria Embankment, there were a massive standing ovation, roses and people cheering. They had lined the roads from Blackfriar's Bridge all the way down to Parliament Square. They had lined the roads by Parliament and I could still see people cheering by Westminster Abbey itself. However they were not all rooting for me.
There were at least five hundred people who had managed to climb over the gates of the Houses of Parliament and were climbing the building itself. There was one person who had managed to climb up Big Ben's many steps to the Clock room. Suddenly, there was a massive bang behind me. I looked behind to see people on the floor, and a blazing inferno erupting from a canister on the floor. People were throwing petrol bombs, and police were quickly trying to round up people inside the Parliament buildings. There was a massive smash behind me as someone jumped out of one of the clocks themselves, causing glass to shatter everywhere. Why would one person jump to their deaths for something like this?
The car managed to break through the crowds of people lining the streets and headed into a designated area where at least twelve bodyguards had stationed themselves outside of the Abbey. Farthing got out of the car to a massive flash of cameras and questions from press worldwide. Ignoring them, he opened my car door and Jayfeather's in one go. The body-guards leaped into action, but I waved with my hands that I didn't need all of this protection – after all, I was the deputy of ThunderClan, right?
I entered the chamber itself; the amazing amount of space inside shocked me. I could only just make out the altar at the far end of the Abbey. Jayfeather entered behind me.
"Sit down at the front," Jayfeather told me. I obeyed, even though he was over twenty years my junior. "I need to tell you this quickly, because when on the first chime of eight o'clock, no one can speak until the ceremony is over. When eight o'clock comes, you need to go up to the altar and press your nose into one of the praying cushions. StarClan will take over from there. Do you understand?"
"Yes," I looked straight ahead. The crowds were still cheering and jeering in equal numbers, and I could hear police try to round some activists up outside of the Abbey.
"Good luck, Brambleclaw," Jayfeather nodded and sat down in the front pew.
"Maybe that's the last time any living creature will call me that," I wondered aloud. A different name would be very odd…
Suddenly, Big Ben played its tune before striking eight times. I had literally seconds to go before I would succeed Firestar as leader of ThunderClan. I had butterflies whizzing all the way around me, and so many nervous questions. What if I'm not good enough? What if I let everyone down? Will I pass any tests they give me?
The crowds silenced outside, waiting for the first chime to sound. A silence that felt like thousands of years…
"Bong!" Ben chimed, and Jayfeather gestured for me to walk up to the altar. I felt like I was walking a tightrope suspended across the walkways of Tower Bridge, and my footsteps echoed all around, the only sound that accompanied to my future and my destiny. I did as Jayfeather said, and pressed my nose against a pillow. That was all I remembered of the waking world before that moment.
I woke up in exactly the same position as I fell asleep in, pressed against a pillow in Westminster Abbey. Jayfeather was behind me, and he waved before pointing to something, or rather someone behind me. My eyes grew wide in shock.
It was Firestar, and seven other people sat in the front pews. This must be what it's like… I was completely speechless.
"Are you ready to receive your nine lives, Brambleclaw?" Firestar asked with an air of confidence.
"Y-Y-yes, of course, Firestar," I stammered, feeling stupid.
The first figure stood up. I didn't recognise her, however.
"Hello, Brambleclaw," she greeted. I knew who it was immediately.
"Mother," I smiled. "How's StarClan?"
"It's good, but I'd rather be watching you become a leader I'm proud of." She outstretched a finger. "This life is for fierceness, and the recognition of a mother's love for her children." Then, without warning, she pressed her finger against my head, feeling energy sear into my mind. It hurt, but suddenly I saw cats' and humans' memories alike of mothers looking after their young from the dark side of human nature, and how I could implement this into the welfare of my country.
Finally the energy subsided and Goldenflower sat back down. I missed my mother, but at least I knew she was still there, looking over me.
Then, another person came up to me, a man this time.
"I'm so glad that I can meet my grandson in person!" the man greeted me heartily.
"Pinestar?" I was unsure, but I vaguely remembered my mother telling me about him. Didn't he desert his Clan for the soft life of a kittypet?
"That's me," he grimaced as he guessed what I was thinking. "I know what I did. I regret it, I really do. But I can't get that time back, and now I am devoted to watching over my descendants, and you." Again, he outstretched his finger. "With this life, I give you bravery and farsightedness. Use it well as you plan Britain's moves both home and abroad." He pressed his finger against my forehead, and I watched cats and humans plan ahead, watching battles and treaties being formed, and watching countries get along with others.
Again, I snapped out as the agony went away, and I returned to the other seven spirits yet to give me a life.
The third life I got came from a woman that I thought I should recognise. Only until did she speak was I sure. It was Feathertail, the person who gave up her life to save Crowfeather and the rest of us (and the Tribe) from certain death.
"Feathertail!" I exclaimed. Calming down, I said, "Thank you so much for saving us. I wouldn't be here today, if I hadn't…"
"Yes…indeed," Feathertail looked uncomfortable, but I dismissed this as nerves. "With this life, I give you love and care for all. Care about the highest lord and the lowest tramp; give everyone a chance for your care and love. And especially use this life for your love for Squirrelflight, and your children. They deserve it most." This life felt much better than the previous two, I felt like someone had thrown me a massive surprise party, and all of my friends were there. I didn't want the feeling for end, but eventually it did, making me long for Squirrelflight again.
Feathertail went to sit down, but stopped. Then, she turned back to me and said, "Could you tell Crowfeather I said hi?"
"Of course," I smiled. Then she sat back down. More lives kept coming. I got one from Yellowfang, one from Spottedleaf and one from Tallstar. I then noticed that only eight people had arrived for my lives ceremony.
"Where is my seventh life?" I asked.
"He's right here," everyone turned around to the door of the Abbey. He was a spitting image of me, except he had cold blue eyes, whereas I had warm amber eyes.
"Hawkfrost?!" I spat. "How dare you come here!"
Yellowfang was outraged, Spottedleaf was gesticulating and Feathertail eyed him with scarring eyes.
"StarClan isn't the only place that has the power to give lives, you know," Hawkfrost informed the group snidely. "With this life, Brambleclaw, I give you the ability to recognise both sides of an argument, because the good side doesn't always stay good…" He poked his finger to my head, and absolute agony entered me. My body was having painful spasms, and I felt like I was being electrocuted on a bonfire. He pressed his finger in further, I ignored the message that he was trying to get to me, I just felt like I was in the middle of a supercell inside my head. Eventually, he pulled away.
"That was for ruining the dream," he spat.
"You're not my brother…and you can't do anything to stop democracy shining through," I hoped that was true.
"Don't believe everything you hear. And no matter what happens, you will always be my brother," Hawkfrost cackled and disappeared in the shadows, never to be seen again in the ceremony.
The eighth person shook her majestic head in appalled horror, but snapped up to look at me squarely. There was no doubt that that was: Bluestar.
"I hope that never happens again," she muttered darkly, but then he voice became louder as she announced her life.
"This life is for mental strength, something I lacked in my last days," Bluestar raised her voice, and the echoes rippled around the Abbey. "Use it well when you are in the toughest of dilemmas." As she pressed her finger to my head, thoughts of the increasing war on dictatorship, the vengeance of certain individuals, and the increasing power of the Dark Forest filled my mind. I wasn't sure of the answers, I didn't know any of the answers I needed…I felt lonely…what could I do? Finally, everything ebbed away, and I was back at the Abbey. Finally, it was Firestar's turn to give me a life.
However, before Bluestar sat down, she turned to me. "I see I chose well in my choice of traveller to save the Clans," she said, but she didn't look into my eyes… Did I do something wrong?
Firestar stood up and looked at me, a curious look on his face. "I knew I had run out of ideas and energy to lead a country, so I did the most noble thing possible; saved my friend. Now I'm glad that I have you for a deputy, for I now have the pleasure to give your final life.
"This life is certainty and faith, mentoring and care, democracy and diplomacy. Use it well to serve Britain in the best way you can, look after her like a daughter, give her everything she needs to thrive." With that he pressed his finger against me. I felt euphoric, like I had won the lottery, like I knew I could do this. The power starting to take over me, the energy soared through me and felt like it was going to spill out of me like a dam bursting. Just when I thought I was going to explode, everything settled down, and everything was calm, everything was placid and silent.
"StarClan grants you the guardianship of ThunderClan and Britain, and we wish you well in your new role as leader of the party. Your old life is no more, and now you will be known no longer as Brambleclaw, but as Bramblestar." Firestar and the others cheered for me, and I got up and faced the crowd. The massive organ started to play a harmonious tune, a tune of glory. Suddenly, the organ went into a very depressing chord and the faces of the eight figures dropped several levels like a lift with its ropes snapping.
"Your task will be one of the biggest that any leader will face. You will have to travel the world in your quest to restore peace. Your journey is yours alone." Firestar nodded one last time and disappeared.
My head snapped up, my breathing reckless. I needed to get out! Gesturing Jayfeather to follow me outside, I burst open the doors. I was breathing heavily, and the air was very welcoming on my lungs. Massive cheers erupted from the crowd in front of me, but jeers from people further back.
"I need to get home!" I hissed. "Collect Farthing and get us out of here, before I go completely insane!"
"Okay, okay, keep your hair on!" rebuked the doctor. "I presume you are Bramblestar now?"
"Of course!" I replied indignantly. Despite my searing headache, I shook people's hands, or anything they outstretched. I signed autographs, magazines, hands and more. I need to…get…home…
"Your car, sir," Farthing ushered me into the car, but I managed to wave to the crowd before I sat in the car. "Congrats, sir for your nine lives."
"Thank you, Farthing," I replied. "Would you take me back to our home, 213 Westbourne Grove in Shepherd's Bush?"
"Certainly, sir," he pressed the throttle and we drove away, ticker tape and bottles being thrown at me in equal measure. "Do you plan to declare an election, sir?"
I sighed. "I don't know. I'll consult the others tomorrow when I go in. And then I'll have to consult the other party leaders and see if they want an election, but I can't see that they won't want to."
"It would certainly be exciting, sir," Farthing pulled into our familiar street. It took much quicker than I had anticipated getting home, but I didn't complain. Getting my keys out and in the door, I clicked the door open. I sighed, feeling good that I was back home. Turning the lights on, I saw all of the things I remembered, but it felt like years since I had been here.
"Do you mind if I go to bed?" I asked the two other people.
"Of course not," Jayfeather smiled slightly.
"I shall see you tomorrow, sir." Farthing turned towards the door, but looked back. "What time do you want me tomorrow?"
"How about you meet me here at eight o'clock? You can breakfast with us," I offered.
"That's very tempting, sir. Consider it done," Farthing opened the door. "Goodnight."
I was so tired; my feet carried me to my old bedroom. Squirrelflight had changed the sheets before she came, but that wasn't on my mind's agenda as I crashed on the bed, and fell asleep.
-x-
After a dreamless night, I woke up; most of my tiredness was still there like a burden. It felt like a tonne weight on my back, but I managed to summon the energy to open my eyes. But my eyes widened when I found Squirrelflight was also lying next to me, and that would explain the arm that was draped across my body.
Gently lifting her arm, I got up. Quickly getting dressed and showered, I trudged down the stairs. I looked at the clock in the living room: 7:55am. That meant that Farthing would be here soon. I entered the kitchen, which would ordinarily be bustling at this time of morning, was completely silent. The only sound was the annoying kitchen clock that was ticking away obnoxiously. They're probably still tired from coming home.
Just then, the doorbell rang, its loud chime almost certainly going to wake up not only the whole house, but also probably the whole city.
I opened the door, but instead of Farthing, a massive bombardment of cameras and journalists entered my doorstep.
"I'll be releasing an official statement later!" I roared over the massive mess of noise and I promptly shut the door. I sighed; the media did not seem to get the message. The doorbell rang again; I growled.
"Don't you just get the message?" I shouted through the door.
"It's Farthing!" my Aide shouted back through the other side.
"Oh, sorry," I opened the door quickly and shut it again as he rushed in. "Everyone else is in bed, they got back late last night."
Farthing nodded. "Why don't you sit down, sir, I brought some croissants."
"Sounds good," I replied. "Firestar's will gets read today."
"What time, sir?"
"Five o'clock." I buttered the croissant Farthing gave me and then reached for the jam. "Do you think you can ring the other party leaders and get them to meet in Parliament today?"
"Consider it done, sir," Farthing poured the tea he had just boiled. "But you'll have to get to fixing that hole in the Clock Tower today."
"Well, we see what time we get," I told him. "The parties' welfare is what I care about first."
"Brambleclaw?" yawned a voice behind me. It was Lionblaze.
"I'm not Brambleclaw anymore," I told the young man.
"You mean you got your lives last night?" Lionblaze said in surprise.
"I couldn't wait, I needed to do it then." I sipped the tea on the table. "I am Bramblestar now."
"Of course, sir," he dipped his head.
"Don't start that!" I looked at him, half-amused, half-stern. "I will always be Bramblestar to you, nothing else!"
-x-
"So is this everyone?" I called out to the group who had formed in the House of Commons. Everyone nodded. "Right, could all of you declare who you are and what your party name is. I'll start. I'm Bramblestar and I am leader of the ThunderClan Party."
"I am Onestar, and I am leader of the WindClan Party," Onestar stood up. He looked a little strange in glasses, but more intelligent than before.
"I am Blackstar, and I am leader of the ShadowClan Party," grunted Blackstar, who sat down as quickly as he stood up.
"I am Mistystar, and I am leader of the RiverClan Party," Mistystar reminded me starkly of her mother, whom I saw last night.
"I am Stoneteller, and I am leader of the Water Party," Stoneteller was going to go in alone, which seemed to surprise some of the leaders. Stoneteller, however, was always a free thinker.
"I am Leafstar, and I am leader of the SkyClan Party," Leafstar was also going in by herself.
An man in his fifties got up from a bench near the back. He was wearing a shabby old jacket, but his eyes shone bright. "I am Rocky, and I am leader of the British Green Party." Green Party? Surely an eco-friendly focus isn't enough to get votes!
Another man, much younger, stood up in a very nice looking jacket. His shoes were shiny and polished, and his stature was tall and proud. "I am Vauxhall, and I am the leader of the Party of the Smart." Snobby idiot…
As Snob-Face sat down, a woman stood up, probably in her thirties…and she looked as though she could do the country some good…
"Hello, I am Victoria, and I am the representative from the British Dictatorship Party." Those impressions blew up as soon as she said that. How could anyone want such a tyrannous and evil party to go into power?
Finally, a small man, probably in his twenties stood up, shaking in his boots. "I-I-I'm Cola, and I am the leader o-o-f the Young People of Britain's Party." He almost fainted in terror.
"So that's everyone…now, just to explain the election. Everyone will vote across the country for the people they believe should be in power. Then, the party with the biggest percentage of votes will have that percentage of seats in Parliament. You will have to choose between yourselves who gets the seats. Now…I'd like hands up if you want an election. In that sort of government, the biggest party gets the biggest say, but smaller parties will be able to have some say in the votes the government take." I counted the hands. All of the Warriors leaders plus Stoneteller put their hand up, and so did Cola and Victoria. That was a majority.
"So it's agreed. An election will be called on the 30th May." I dismissed the group and it dissolved quickly. The election race had begun.
-x-
"You are all here to hear the content's of Firestar's will. Silence please," the solicitor asked.
"Are you ready?" I asked Squirrelflight.
"Of course, Bramblestar," she mumbled into my jacket.
"To Brambleclaw," the solicitor began. "My personal aide, Farthing, and my Parliament Jacket, something that gave me good luck when I wore."
"Thank you, Firestar," I told his presence. I felt it as it wafted on the solicitor's desk.
"To Sandstorm, the house, half of the money I saved and everything she gave me. Also, all of my love to her, and that I still think about her in the sky." Sandstorm smiled through sobs as her share got read.
"To Leafpool and Squirrelflight, quarter of the inheritance money each and my blessings to their partners, who I'm sure will give them eternal happiness." Squirrelflight grabbed my arm, and held it tightly. I stroked her hair, hopefully making her feel better.
"To Jayfeather and Lionblaze, the Van. I know they were so excited about it, and I sure I am putting it into good hands. Serve your country well, young ones." It felt as though he was saying it himself.
"To all of you, my eternal thoughts. I hope you all fulfil your dreams, and I will always watch over all of you. Regards, Firestar." The solicitor noticed a bit at the end. "The eulogy better be good or I'm taking half of that money back to pay for dignity surgery." Everyone laughed.
"Even in death, he's making jokes…" Sandstorm sighed, and looked at a photo she brought of him.
"If he's like that in the will reading, goodness knows what he will be like at the funeral!" Leafpool sniffed, but she was grinning none the less.
Squirrelflight was still a little upset, sniffing into my arm. I lifted her chin.
"Come on," I encouraged her. "You're supposed to remember all the good times you had. You need to embrace it."
"I know…it's just so hard that I lost him. I want him back." Squirrelflight sobbed.
"Come on…we're nearly done."
Wow…that was long, huh. 16 pages…if any of the chapter was boring, the reason is I just wanted to put some of the more tedious bits in one chapter so it isn't so boring for you.
Also, I'd like you to vote on who should win the election. I will set up a poll and put what each party's manifesto as soon as possible! This is down to you! Don't forget to check.
Read and review,
Leopardstorm